Kering to host an exclusive Women In Motion Talk at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival featuring Mitsuki Takahata, Kento Nakajima, Debra Zane, and Miyuki Fukuma

As it continues to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of its Women In Motion initiative, global luxury group Kering is pleased to host a Women In Motion Talk on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills. As part of the official program of the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), the Talk will feature an inspiring opening speech by acclaimed filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, followed by a discussion with actor Mitsuki Takahata, actor and artist Kento Nakajima, casting director Debra Zane, and producer Miyuki Fukuma.

In light of the introduction of the new Achievement in Casting category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards® in March 2026, one of Hollywood’s leading casting directors Debra Zane will take the stage in Tokyo. She is a member of Casting Society (CSA), a global organization of casting professionals dedicated to upholding the highest standards of casting within the entertainment industry. Preceding the Talk, there will be a special screening of Casting By (2012), a documentary that explores the importance and historical background of the casting profession through the achievements of legendary casting director Marion Dougherty.

For nearly three decades, Debra Zane has played a pivotal role in shaping some of cinema’s most memorable works. Her credits include American Beauty (1999), Catch Me If You Can (2002), Dreamgirls (2006), the Oceans series (2001–), the Planet of the Apes series (2011–), and The Hunger Games series (2012–). Her upcoming projects include Tron: Ares (2025) and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026). Zane’s contributions have earned her 21 nominations and four wins at the prestigious Artios Awards presented by CSA.

Acclaimed filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda has participated, along with director Chie Hayakawa, in a powerful Women In Motion Talk in Cannes this May, and will once again deliver this year’s opening speech. Following his address, the discussion will feature Mitsuki Takahata, a versatile actor known for her roles in NHK’s historical drama Dear Radiance (2024), the musical Waitress (2021, 2025), and Kokuho (2025); Kento Nakajima, an actor and artist who recently served as red-carpet correspondent for the Academy Awards® and starred in the Hulu Original series Concordia (2024), performing entirely in English; and producer Miyuki Fukuma, whose acclaimed works include Kore-eda’s Broker (2022) and numerous international co-productions such as A Pale View of Hills (2025, dir. Kei Ishikawa), which was selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the 78th Festival de Cannes. Together with Debra Zane, they will share their perspectives on the evolving representation of women in cinema, the challenges and opportunities for women in the industry, and prospects for the future.

In 2015, Kering launched Women In Motion with the ambition of celebrating women in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. The program has since been extended to other artistic fields, including photography, across multiple partnerships and initiatives over the world.

In Japan, the Women In Motion Talks have been held since 2017, featuring 16 distinguished figures from film and television. This year marks the fifth edition of the Women In Motion Talk at TIFF, and its past speakers include Shinobu Terajima (actor), Mika Ninagawa (photographer/ filmmaker), Sputniko! (artist), Hirokazu Kore-eda (filmmaker), Mayu Matsuoka (actor), Doona Bae (actor), Asami Mizukawa (actor), Kayo Washio (producer), Rinko Kikuchi (actor), Hayato Isomura (actor), and Makiko Okano (producer).

Tokyo International Film Festival Official Program
TIFF Special Talk Session

Kering Women In Motion
Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Time: 13:30 – 16:45
Venue: TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills, Screen 2 (6-10-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Special Screening: Casting By (Dir. Tom Donahue)
Speakers: Mitsuki Takahata (Actor), Kento Nakajima (Actor / Artist), Debra Zane (Casting Director), Miyuki Fukuma (Producer)
Opening Speech: Hirokazu Kore-eda (Filmmaker)
Facilitator: Atsuko Tatsuta (Film Journalist)
Languages: Japanese and English (Simultaneous interpretation available)
Admission: Free
Registration: Via TIFF official website (https://2025.tiff-jp.net/news/en/?p=19867)
Capacity: 30
Registration opens on Wednesday, October 1 at 12:00. If applications exceed capacity, attendees will be selected by lottery.

Mitsuki Takahata (Actor)
Mitsuki Takahata made her debut in 2005 after winning the Grand Prix at the audition for the lead role in the tribute musical Playback Part 2 – Rooftop Angel honoring Momoe Yamaguchi. From 2007, she played the eighth Peter Pan in the musical Peter Pan for six years. She later gained recognition for her acting and singing talents with her appearance in the 2013 NHK drama series Bon Appetit!, and went on to star as Tsuneko Kohashi in the 2016 NHK drama series Toto Nee-chan. In 2018, she won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her performance in the film A Banana? At This Time of Night?. Her television credits include Overprotected Kahoko (2017), Our Dearest Sakura (2019), NIZI Village Clinic (2021), Iribito -Stranger- (2021), Tall Order (2022), and unknown (2023). On stage, she has starred in works such as The Miracle Worker (2019, 2022), Miss Saigon (2022), and The Jewelled Watch (2023). Her recent projects include Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster (2023), Golden Kamuy (2024), Kokuho (2025), the NHK historical drama Dear Radiance (2024), the Prime Video series 1122: For a Happy Marriage (2024), the Japanese-dubbed version of Wicked (2025), and the musical Waitress (2025). She also stars in the upcoming film adaptation of 5 Centimeters per Second, set for release on October 10, 2025. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of her debut, she recently launched her first music project, releasing the single Over You, produced by Night Tempo, now available for streaming.

Kento Nakajima (Actor/Artist)
Born in Tokyo in 1994, Nakajima made his acting debut in 2008 in the serial drama Scrap Teacher (Nippon Television) followed by his performer debut in 2011 as a member of the chart-topping J-pop boy band Sexy Zone. In 2013, he took on his first leading role in the scripted series BAD BOYS J (Nippon Television), with his first leading film role in 2014’s Silver Spoon (dir. Keisuke Yoshida). Additional box office starring credits include The Black Devil and the White Prince (2016, dir. Tsutomu Hanabusa), The Anthem of the Heart (2017, Dir. Naoto Kumazawa), and Nisekoi (2018, dir. Hayato Kawai), among many others across a wide range of genres. In 2024, he graduated from Sexy Zone to begin activities as an solo artist and actor, with his most recent works including the Netflix Original feature film Love Like the Falling Petals (2022, dir. Yoshihiro Fukagawa), Fragments of the Last Will (2022, dir. Takahisa Zeze), Confess Your Sins (2023, dir. Nobuo Mizuta), and My Beloved Stranger (2024, dir. Takahiro Miki). His first fully global credit, Nakajima also joined the primary cast of the Hulu Original miniseries Concordia (2023, prod. Frank Doelger), undertaking an entirely English script to challenge himself as a truly international leading actor.

Debra Zane (Casting Director)
Debra Zane has been a casting director for nearly three decades. Her feature credits include American Beauty, Galaxy Quest, Traffic, Catch Me If You Can, Seabiscuit, Dreamgirls, Ocean’s  11, 12 and 13, The Planet of the Apes franchise, The Hunger Games franchise, Cocaine Bear, and Tron: Ares. Zane has been nominated 21 times for the Casting Society’s Artios Award, and has won the Award 4 times.

Miyuki Fukuma (Producer)
Born in Shimane, Japan, Miyuki Fukuma earned her graduate degree from the University of Tokyo, studied in Geneva, and began her career in the Japanese film industry. In 2014, she joined the launch of BUNBUKU, the production company led by director Hirokazu Kore-eda, where she has since worked on a diverse slate of projects, notably including international coproductions. Her producing credits include the Korean film Broker (2022, Best Actor Award,
Cannes), the France‒Japan co-production The Truth (2019, Competition, Venice), and the Netflix series Asura (2025), as well as the omnibus Ten Years Japan (2018) by emerging Japanese directors, and the Japan‒UK‒Poland co-production A Pale View of Hills (2025, Un Certain Regard, Cannes, dir. Kei Ishikawa), adapted from the novel by Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro.

About Women In Motion
Kering’s commitment to women is at the heart of the Group’s priorities and, through Women In Motion, extends to the arts and culture, where gender inequalities persist, even though creation is one of the most powerful vectors for change.
In 2015, Kering launched Women In Motion at the Festival de Cannes with the ambition of highlighting the talent of women in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. The program has since been extended to other artistic fields, including photography.
Through its Awards, the program salutes the influence of inspirational figures and provides concrete support for emerging talent. Its Talks and Podcasts provide a forum for personalities to share their views on the representation of women in their professional environment.
In 2025, the anniversary year of the creation of Women In Motion, Kering celebrates 10 years of commitment to women in the arts and culture.
A pioneering program, Women In Motion highlights the talent and diversity of the voices shaping the artistic world. More than a celebration, this decade marks a milestone in the Group’s commitment to providing a space for dialogue and action, in order to continue promoting the recognition and influence of women in creation.

About Casting Society (CSA)
Casting Society (CSA) is a global resource for producers, directors and creative teams seeking casting professionals while promoting the image of casting directors and associate casting directors/casting producers worldwide, engaging in a number of charitable activities and supporting its members by sharing important and helpful professional information. The organization currently boasts over 1,200 casting professionals worldwide, with members based in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.

About Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)
TIFF started in 1985 as Japan’s first major film festival. Since then, TIFF has grown to become one of the leading film festivals in Asia and is the only Japanese film festival accredited by the International Federation of FILM Producers Associations. During the festival period, films from a variety of genres are shown in several sections. One of which is the Competition section, where a selection of premiere films by talented first timers and recognized directors, will be awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix. This Competition section is gathering international attention and acclaim, and in recent years, 1,829 films from 109 countries and regions were received. TIFF has also been dedicated to discovering and cultivating new talent, contributing to the careers of countless international film makers. TIFF also hosts TIFFCOM, an international market that serves as a platform for networking with the world’s film industries, developing international productions and promoting global film businesses. 

About Kering
Kering is a global, family-led luxury group, home to people whose passion and expertise nurture creative Houses across ready-to-wear and couture, leather goods, jewelry, eyewear and beauty: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin, Ginori 1735, as well as Kering Eyewear and Kering Beauté. Inspired by their creative heritage, Kering’s Houses design and craft exceptional products and experiences that reflect the Group’s commitment to excellence, sustainability and culture. This vision is expressed in our signature: Creativity is our Legacy.